Try This Radio ProgramTopic: They'll take your phone call
At 8:07 AM Central Time only on Friday mornings you can listen to the talk show IT IS WHAT IT IS. The show comes out of Monroe, Louisiana. Just type the following on google: It Is What It Is – KMLB talk540.com/it-is-what-it-is/ and it will bring you to the right radio station. This show does not lecture, does not give a lot of advice. It accepts people's problems and discusses it in a down to earth way. It recognizes that you are in charge of your life and exposes facts and ideas to help you zero in on what you can do to lead a fuller life. Even better you can phone in and state your feelings.

For Girls Only - Sorry GuysTopic: Can't hurt to look into it
Women's eNews has a Teen Voices department and is looking for teenage girls, ages 13 to 19 who want to write. And they pay! For more information go to https://womensenews.org/teen-voices/submission-guidelines/

IS IT TOO EARLY TO THINK ABOUT THE MONTH OF MAY?Topic: IT'S ALL ABOUT PREVENTION
If you visit https://www.samhsa.gov/prevention-week/about you will learn that SAMHSA already is planning for the May 13th to May 19th prevention week. It takes time to involve communities, schools, individuals (MAYBE YOU) and your local newspapers, radio and TV stations. Get involved. Want to write for your local newspaper? Ask them if you can do an article? See if your local TV or radio station has program where you can talk about this. Did you know that teens and full-time college students most often use substances for the first time during June or July, according to SAMHSA National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data on adolescents – 2012 (PDF | 704 KB) and NSDUH data on full-time college students – 2015 (PDF | 1.2 MB). The timing of National Prevention Week provides an opportunity for schools and organizations to host prevention-themed events before the school year ends, raising awareness about this important issue among students and their families. Reach out to SAMHSA. Ask questions. Help yourself to stay healthy.

A new year resolution only works if you have a plan. Feeling depressed? Want to do better in school? Don't know where to turn? Phone SAMHSA. They are there to help and value your privacy. 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Holidays are here againTopic: This is good advice
Every holiday we send this message. If things get out of control in your home find a place to stay. You should have this figured out before the holiday starts. If you have to leave your house make sure that you placed a note where you are staying where your parents can see it - pinned to your pillow or on the frig door. If you are afraid to tell your parents where you are because they might cause problems say, "Am with a friend in a safe house or I am staying with one of our relatives." If you have no place to stay perhaps it is time to talk to a school counselor, an organization such as AA, Ala-teen, or a social worker. And be good to yourself. Any place you can go bowling? Any family you can join for activities? Still feel alone? Get involved with a church or synagogue youth group. A basketball group, a music group - figure out what you like best. Do it.

It tells you what you need to know and how other teenagers have started their own business. It's a good time to start thinking about it because you will have needed time to work out all the details during your vacation. You may want to work on this during the summer. Now is a good time to think about it. You may want to make a schedule including the time you need for school work, eight hour of sleep and then see how much time you have left for your business idea.

It's that time of year again - school. Some of you like your studies and some of you don't. Some of you are happy at home and some of you are not. One good thing to do is to keep a journal. Don't write your thoughts on line but in a book with a good old fashioned ball point pen or pencil. Write your thoughts, your ideas, your feelings, your plans, your dreams, your questions, and descriptions. And, then hide your journal. Let it be your private, intimate journal. Let the journal be your hang out for all your feelings. The journal is your private place and only your place. And, if you are having trouble with your school work remember to look up www.khanacademy.org/ these instructors make most subjects easy. Their graphs are terrific.

It's that time of year again - school. Some of you like your studies and some of you don't. Some of you are happy at home and some of you are not. One good thing to do is to keep a journal. Don't write your thoughts on line but in a book with a good old fashioned ball point pen or pencil. Write your thoughts, your ideas, your feelings, your plans, your dreams, your questions, and descriptions. And, then hide your journal. Let it be your private, intimate journal. Let the journal be your hang out for all your feelings. The journal is your private place and only your place. And, if you are having trouble with your school work remember to look up www.khanacademy.org/ these instructors make most subjects easy. Their graphs are terrific.

September is National Recovery Month. We celebrate those who are in recovery, we hope for those who are trying to be in recovery, and we beseech those who are in denial to see their condition. Melanie Dallas who is a licensed professional counselor says, "What’s most important to know about recovery is that it is always possible. People can and do recover from mental illness, addiction or both, and live healthy, independent and productive lives in recovery. If you’re struggling with mental illness or addiction, don’t wait to get help. The sooner you begin treatment, the sooner you can find hope and recovery."

For those of you who live in a home with a parent, brother or sister who suffer from substance use disorder be good to yourself seek help for yourself. How do you talk to such a person? What can you do to make your life bearable? Go to Alateen, to In the Rooms. Do it on line or go in person to meet others in such a group.

LIFE TOUGH AT HOME?Topic: Do Yourself A Favor
We all know that when parent(s) is or are taking drugs or drinking too much that they don't often act like parents. Your feelings may be hurt, you may feel embarrassed in front of your friends and you might have to take care of yourself and maybe of your siblings. Remember you are not the only one. There are people who care. One of the places you can go is to your local Boys And Girls Club. There are adults there who volunteer to spend time with you. They will do sports with you, answer your questions - should I date, should I have sex, should I apply to a professional school - and yes, you will get the encouragement you need. Be daring. Do something for yourself. Go for it. Visit https://www.bgca.org/about-us/contact-us